OCART in the News
JANUARY 2, 2026
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Orange County’s new initiative to rescue large animals during emergencies
Orange County has approved a new initiative, the Orange County Animal Rescue Team (OCART), to evacuate large animals during emergencies. The program, funded with $75,000 and overseen by El Rodeo Rescue, will train volunteers to assist with evacuations, filling a gap left by the downsizing of the previous rescue program, LART. The new program aims to have all volunteers trained by the end of February.
JANUARY 2, 2026
ORANGE COUNTY PATCH
OC Launches New Large-Animal Emergency Rescue Team: Report
Orange County launched the Orange County Animal Rescue Team (OCART), a volunteer-based program to evacuate horses and cattle during emergencies. The program, overseen by El Rodeo Rescue, aims to improve preparedness and response times for the county’s equestrian community.
DECEMBER 16, 2025
OCGOV.COM
Board of Supervisors Approves Supervisor Wagner’s Essential Funding for Orange County Animal Rescue Team
The Board of Supervisors approved $75,000 from Supervisor Wagner’s discretionary funds to El Rodeo Rescue for the Orange County Animal Rescue Team (OCART). This grant will fund a trained volunteer team to evacuate large animals during emergencies, particularly wildfires. The funds will cover insurance, training supplies, a rescue trailer, and other necessary materials.
JANUARY 3, 2024
KABC EYEWITNESS NEWS
Volunteer program leading horse rescues across Orange County to downsize this year
The Large Animal Response Team (LART), a volunteer program in San Juan Capistrano, is downsizing its response efforts to only within the city’s jurisdiction. The program, which helped evacuate large animals during emergencies, will now focus on providing training and has a roster of volunteers willing to assist countywide if available. Residents are concerned about the safety of large animals in northern and central Orange County and are working to establish a regional program.
JANUARY 1, 2024
FIRE RESCUE1
Calif. rescue team cuts service, causing concern among horse owners
The Large Animal Rescue Team (LART) in Orange County, California, formed in 2008 to evacuate horses and livestock during wildfires, is scaling back its services. Due to dwindling membership and finite resources, LART will now only operate within San Juan Capistrano city limits, leaving other areas vulnerable. While the county is confident in its disaster response, equestrians are concerned about preparedness and the need for a proactive evacuation plan.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
DAILY PILOT
Without an official response team, O.C. volunteers rescue horses from the Airport fire
When the Airport fire ignited, Orange County equestrians, without an official county animal response team, mobilized to rescue horses. The newly formed Orange County Animal Response Team, comprising about 250 volunteers, evacuated 322 horses to safety. Despite their success, the team advocates for an official county program by 2025 to ensure proper insurance and organizational structure.
